Your specialist will have arranged the date for your operation. You will be required to complete a Chelsea Hospital admission form, which needs to be presented at the hospital, at least seven days before your operation. It is important that you answer the questions in this form about your past and present health status as accurately and fully as possible. The nursing team and anaesthetist use this information to help them plan your care. If any of the information changes before your admission please notify the hospital immediately.

It is important that you:

  • Arrange for someone to collect you from the hospital on discharge, as you are not allowed to drive for 24 hours following a general anaesthetic or sedation, and ensure you have plenty of help at home while you recuperate.
  • Do not wear make-up or nail polish on the day of admission.
  • Do not smoke, if you are a smoker, for at least 24 hours before surgery.
  • Avoid activities which may cause you to get cuts or scratches as this may result in your surgery being cancelled on the day due to infection risks.
  • Discuss with your surgeon any assistance you may need after your discharge. Your surgeon will notify Chelsea staff of any needs.

Your written consent for treatment is required. Your surgeon will provide you with information about your procedure/operation and explain the possible risks and effects before your admission.
If you have any concerns or questions raise these before your admission or at any stage during your stay.

Pre-admission

You may need to be assessed by the anaesthetist before your admission. If this is the case Chelsea will contact you and provide an appointment before your admission date.

The nurse will conduct a telephone assessment giving specific instructions regarding admission time, when to stop eating, drinking and management of your regular medication. If you have any special requirements, requests or concerns, please raise them at this point or contact Chelsea at your convenience. Unfortunately we are usually only able to provide your admission time the evening before your surgery. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

What you need to bring:

  • All medication you are currently taking including herbal and natural remedies. Please ensure you bring your medications in their original containers and a current list of your medications from your pharmacy or General Practitioner . (You can phone your pharmacy or General Practitioner to get them to fax this directly to the hospital (06) 867 2239 or bring it with you) Handwritten lists are not acceptable.

(This is a legal requirement – if you do not provide this information your surgery may be delayed or cancelled)

  • Your health insurers letter of  ‘prior approval’
  • Glasses and other physical and personal aids (walking sticks, hearing aids etc)
  • Please note that you must have means to pay your account, if you do not have `prior approval’ you will be expected to pay either prior to admission, on admission, or to settle any outstanding amounts on departure from our hospital. See payment information.
  • Loose comfortable clothing
  • X-rays, scans
  • The patient information booklet

Overnight stay or longer, please also bring:

  • Comfortable sleepwear, dressing gown, slippers or footwear and personal toiletries
  • Comfortable daywear to facilitate your early mobilisation
  • Reading material or other leisure activities

Please DO NOT bring:

  • Any items of value including jewellery (except medic alert bracelets or pendants), cash or other personal items or equipment as Chelsea Hospital Trust cannot take responsibility for their safe keeping and will not be liable for any loss or damage
  • Your vehicle, as you will be unable to drive following your procedure. We recommend that you organise transport to and from the hospital in advance

What to organise at home:

  • If you live alone, it is advisable for you to arrange for an adult person to stay with you for a few days after your discharge, particularly for your first night home following a general anaesthetic or sedation
  • If you expect to have your mobility reduced following surgery, you might consider relocating to a more accessible room in your house

Surgical Site Surveillance Programme

Chelsea Hospital Trust is committed to providing high quality care for our patients. As part of our commitment we are required under the Health and Disability Services (Safety) Act 2001 and Standards to carry out a routine Surgical Site Surveillance Programme. Your nurse will let you know if your procedure falls under our current Surgical Site Surveillance Programme.

The Risk of Blood Clots

Following an operation the risk of developing a blood clot in your lets or lungs increases. There are a number of ways to reduce this risk. As part of Chelsea Hospitals commitment to providing the highest quality of care, we have the `gold standard’ of best practice in the prevention of VTE (Venous Thrombo-Embolism or blood clots), which includes the implementation of a comprehensive assessment tool, access to the latest prevention devices, and ongoing patient education and awareness programme.

One way that you can reduce your risk is by staying as mobile and active as possible after your operation. Your specialist and our nurses will guide you in how best to achieve this.

To learn more about Blood Clots, please take the time to read the ‘Blood Clots and You’ leaflet in your admission pack or, ask for one from your specialist or nurse. You can download a copy here

What to expect

Admission

All patients are telephoned by a nurse the day/evening before surgery to confirm your admission time and be given instructions regarding eating (this includes chewing gum and sweets), drinking, and taking medications.

On arrival at Chelsea you will be shown to the waiting area. A nurse will collect you from here and take you to the admission room to prepare you for your procedure and complete your admission. You will be seen by both your specialist, and your anaesthetist, who will discuss your care with you prior to your procedure.

An Anaesthetic Technician or nurse will collect you from the admission room and take you through to theatre for your procedure.

Our checking procedures

To ensure your safety during your stay, you will be asked several times, to confirm your name and some other details. This is part of our comprehensive checking procedure and also gives you the opportunity to tell us anything that you may have not remembered previously.

Your Anaesthetic

The type of anaesthetic you receive will depend on the nature, site and duration of the surgery, and your health. Not all types of anaesthesia require the presence of an anaesthetist and your surgeon will discuss this with you.

  1. General Anaesthesia – A specially trained doctor (Anaesthetist) will give you medications via a drip that will make you go to sleep and remain asleep for the duration of your surgery. The Anaesthetist stays with you throughout your surgery, monitoring your body.
  2. Regional Anaesthesia – You will be given local anaesthetic by an anaesthetist that will numb the part of your body where the surgeon operates. You can be wide awake or, if you prefer, the anaesthetist can give you medications to make you relaxed and drowsy. Examples include spinal, epidural, eye, and arm blocks.
  3. Local Anaesthesia – A local anaesthetic is injected at the site of the surgery to cause numbness. You will be awake. A local anaesthetic is often used for small skin lesions.
  4. Monitored Sedation – Your anaesthetist uses a range of medications to keep you comfortable and sleepy but able to respond to questions.

After your procedure

You will wake up in the recovery room, and from here transferred to the day lounge. After the procedure you will be offered refreshments and given adequate time to recuperate before dressing and returning home.

If your procedure requires an overnight stay, or longer, then you will be cared for in your own room following surgery.

Before you leave the specialist and nurses will advise you of what to expect as you recover.

You will be given an information sheet with discharge instructions and follow-up doctor’s appointment.

Pain relief

Adequate pain relief is important. If you do experience any discomfort please call the nurse for assistance.

Preparing for discharge

In agreement with the doctors’ instructions, the nurse will assess the point at which you are ready to be discharged, and ensure all necessary documentation has been completed.

Please ensure that have made arrangements for someone to drive you home, as it is unlikely that it will be safe for you to drive yourself following your surgery/procedure. We also recommend that you arrange for an adult to be with you for at least 23 hours following your return home. You will need to rest during this time, and you may want additional care at home.

A copy of your discharge summary will be sent to your GP so they are aware of what procedure you have had. If discharge occurs after 10:30 am then a late discharge fee may apply.

The first 24 hours after your operation

  • If you go home on the day of your operation, it is essential to have someone with you as the full effects of your anaesthetic may not wear off for 24 hours
  • For your safety (and the safety of others) DO NOT drive a vehicle or use machinery or potentially dangerous household appliances
  • Do not eat a heavy meal, drink alcohol or take sleeping pills
  • Do not make any important decisions or sign any legal documents
  • Do not lift heavy things or engage in strenuous exercise

Your Rights

The Health and Disability Commission have developed a Code of Consumer Rights with which providers of health services must comply. These rights are displayed in the hospital waiting room and are available on request. Additionally they can be downloaded in different languages by visiting www.hdc.org.nz

If you feel we have breached your rights, in any way, please contact the hospital CEO to discuss. You are also able to contact the Commission directly on 0800 112 233.

Payment of account

You are advised to discuss the costs of your procedure with the specialist and Chelsea before admission. It may be advisable to seek separate price indications from all those who are likely to be involved in your care, e.g., Chelsea, your surgeon, anaesthetist, and any other independent health provider such as physiotherapist, occupational therapist, laboratory, radiology etc.

Accounts must be paid in some instances prior to admission or at admission.

If you have prior approval from your insurer or you are paying personally, following your discharge, you will receive separate accounts from each provider which you will need to pay or forward to your insurance company for payment depending on the terms of your policy.

You will receive accounts from:

  • Your specialist
  • Your anaesthetist (where applicable)
  • Chelsea Hospital Trust

Your hospital account may be paid using cash, cheque, Visa/MasterCard, EFTPOS or Internet Banking.

Please contact us during office hours if you have any questions relating to your hospital account or payments.

If the account is not paid in full within 30 days from date of invoice you may be charged interest calculated on the unpaid amount. Chelsea reserves the right to add all costs of collection in the event where an account is outstanding.

Privacy

Your privacy is assured. All staff and personnel involved in your care are bound by a confidentiality agreement as well as a professional Code of Conduct.

Any personal or health information we obtain about you is for the purposes of providing your treatment. For quality assurance activities and to fulfil legislative requirements.

Cultural/Spiritual Needs:

If you have any specific cultural/spiritual needs, please contact the Hospital prior to your admission. During your stay you are welcome to:

  • Request a visit from your Minister or ask Chelsea to contact one for you
  • Request a visit from a Kaumatua
  • Have your body parts/tissue returned to you. Staff are happy to discuss this with you and provide advice on collection procedures
  • Have an advocate or support person present

 
Interpreter Services:

  • If you require this service please inform your surgeon, or Chelsea Hospital, prior to admission so that we can ensure an interpreter is available on your arrival.

·      Patient Feedback

  • Our aim is to provide you with excellent service and care. We appreciate your comments and suggestions as these assist us to improve our services. On discharge you will receive a patient satisfaction survey. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey, give it to staff on departure, leave it at reception or, post it back to Chelsea Hospital.